PRESS RELEASE

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND GERMANY ARE FOCUSING ON NORTHERN UGANDA – UGX 160 BILLION FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

GULU TO BECOME IMPORTANT HUB FOR SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The European Union (EU) and the Federal Republic of Germany have committed grant financing to the tune of Euro 36.4 million (UGX 160 billion) to support Ugandan civil society organisations and to promote rural development as well as climate smart agriculture, particularly in Northern Uganda.

The two programmes “Civil Society in Uganda Support Programme” (CUSP) and “Promoting Rural Development in Northern Uganda” (PRUDEV) will be implemented by the German implementing agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - GIZ. They are being co-funded by the European Union (Euro 30 million) and the German Federal Government (Euro 6.4 million).

In this context, a new cooperation office was opened in Gulu today by German Ambassador Albrecht Conze, EU Head of Cooperation Cédric Merel, and the Cabinet Minister for Local Government Hon. Col. Tom Butime.

CUSP will be implemented nationwide by GIZ and has a strong focus on technical assistance and capacity development to strengthen Civil Society Organizations and to promote their interaction with relevant state institutions. The aim is to contribute to an environment conducive for civil society participation in the development of Uganda. The programme will support organizations providing services in a wide range of sectors, such as infrastructure, water, energy, rural development, and good governance with a special focus on women and youth.

EU HoC Cedric Merel during today’s opening said: “The European Union has a strong focus on the North of Uganda which is also reflected in EU-funded projects such as the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda, the Promotion of Renewable Energy and energy Efficiency Programme and the Enhanced Water Security and Sanitation Programme. I am therefore very pleased that through this new office and the two co-funded programmes, the EU is able to extend its presence in the North and to intensify its efforts to contribute to sustainable development of Northern Uganda”

PRUDEV on the other hand is aimed at improving local economic development in Northern Uganda with a strong focus on market integration through improving management skills of agricultural producers and processors. Selected local governments will be assisted in the implementation of their respective local economic development plan. Furthermore, the programme will promote climate-smart agriculture (CSA) amongst smallholder farmers to help mitigate climate change.

German Ambassador Dr. Albrecht Conze stated that by opening a regional programme office Germany underlines its support for Northern Uganda which is provided by technical as well as financial assistance, by fostering economic development, supporting energy and infrastructure development and contributing to a meaningful cooperation between the district administration, civil society and the citizens themselves. “I truly believe that the districts are key to any successful policy implementation and likewise a critical success factor for sustainable development. Opening a regional office underlines this statement as it symbolizes that capacity-building and technical advice are getting closer to the action on the ground where change can manifest itself for both, the Ugandan administration as well as its citizens. I am very thankful that the Minister for Local Government, H.E. Mr. Butime, took the time to participate in this important occasion and together with many LC5 and CAO district representatives jointly inaugurated the programme office” Ambassador Conze highlighted.

Both programmes are meant to promote sustainable development of Northern Uganda by improving livelihoods and encouraging meaningful political participation.

For more information please contact:

Press contacts:

Jenny Herrmann | Press and Cultural Affairs | Embassy of Germany, Kampala | 0414-50 11 11 | pr-100@kamp.auswaertiges-amt.de

Emmanuel Davies Gyezaho | Press and Information Officer | Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Uganda | +256 312 701-235| Emmanuel-Davies.Gyezaho@eeas.europa.eu